History of Housing Discrimination

History of Housing Discrimination

Article excerpt

A new report's conclusion that illegal housing discrimination may
be distressingly common in Sarasota County should spur local
governments to take action.

County commissioners and representatives of municipal governments
should send a strong signal that fair housing policies are a
priority and that discrimination will not be condoned.

As the Herald-Tribune's Carrie Wells reported last week, testers
checking local compliance with fair housing laws found numerous
cases of discrimination against people with disabilities and racial
minorities.

"A very high percentage of rental housing tests (almost 75%)
conducted throughout the county in 2011 resulted in findings of
discrimination on the basis of race or disability," the report
states.

(Titled "Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice," the
report is avaialable online, attached to the Sarasota City
Commission agenda: http://tinyurl.com/ct6kvf9.)

Though disappointing, the test results are not surprising. Racial
isolation and income disparity -- de facto rather than official
segregation -- have long been problems in Sarasota County, as have a
shortage of low-income housing and gaps in public transit that can
make it difficult for the poor or disabled to access some areas. …